Taking a break... sort of :-)

SO, I am on a bit of a vacation :-) I am home for a total of 10 days getting a bit of R&R before camp starts. I have been incredibly lazy, it is really hard for me to truly relax as my lifestyle is all go, go ,go! I can always tell when I really need a break as I find myself just sort of wandering around aimlessly and melting into the couch :-) My big issue with taking a break, or, trying to relax is that I actually find myself feeling guilty about not doing "something". I swear, I just do not know how to truly decompress, I am determined to keep trying though! During my break I have done a fabulous job of giving the dogs some time off, Maze is on a break until August, not because there is anything wrong, but, just because. OK, that is not 100% true, he will go to camp with me and possibly get a little bit of training, however, nothing serious until August, I think every dog needs a break now and then and he has had a really busy year. I am a bit bummed that I decided to pass on going to the European Open this year, it seemed like a good idea when I made the decision, but, now am sort of wishing I was jetting off to Sweden next week.. This is just the restless me talking of course, I have been home for several days so I start to get antsy :-) I actually have a pretty significant break from trialing, my last trial was 1 day of USDAA the end of June and will not set foot in a competition ring until the MO Regional the second weekend of August. I am really OK with that break as well, I am giving my competition dogs a much deserved break and taking the time off to train the babies. Except Danger of course who is once again on the injured reserve list! Good news, he is getting better everyday and will not only get to play at the Regional but may even get a little training in before the event. :-) I am having tons of fun with Journey and Mooch in the midst of this downtime. Journey is learning all sorts of puppy things and foundation behaviors that will hopefully serve us in our agility career later, Mooch is embarking on the latest whim of his owner, drumroll please.... running dog walk, AGAIN! It was purely accidental that we are starting this process yet again. I was not particularly happy with his striding over the dog walk into a 2on/2off position so I thought I would just spend a bit of time on a lowered dog walk just letting him run, ignoring the end behavior entirely, incredibly hard for me BTW! I was prepared for Mooch to do what appears to be his natural tendency which is to launch, lo and behold he did not launch, he ran right through!!! I was bitten again by the running dog walk bug. So, here we go again, except this time I will stick with it, yes you heard it here first :-) I am writing it down so that I am accountable. It is tough when you have such a comfortable fall back like a great 2on/2off :-) I am going to keep Mooch out of competition that involves any contacts until we have this nailed! Good thing I am not in a hurry :-) Danger will keep his 2on/2off it suits him, Moochie running and if all goes as planned Journey will be running as well. I picked a really crazy time to start this endeavor as I am once again battling a wicked case of Plantar Fasciitis, I think this is my lot in life as I get older, it really sucks!!! I have been back to the foot Dr. for another cortisone shot that I am not so patiently waiting on to take away the pain :-)Good thing I am training a puppy and am in the very beginning stages of training a running dog walk, I get to stay mostly stationary! I am super excited about camp!! I love camp, even though I am working it is seriously like summer camp for me too. Camp is good! For now, back to the couch with a nice bag of frozen beans under my heel, while I plan the next tr

aining session :-)